CityOutline guide

Alausi

Town in Chimborazo Province, Ecuador

Photo: Burkhard Mücke, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Alausi (Spanish: Alausí) is a village in the Andean Highlands of Ecuador. It is the closest station to the train ride Naríz del Diablo. Although most of the tourism in Alausí is centered on the Devil's Nose Train, the town, although small, is quite charming and worth a look.

Where to eat, drink and stay

Sleep1 place

Community Hostel AlausiDorm bed $12, double room $30, superior king room $50, breakfast $3 per person
Run by the friendly parents of the Ecuadorian-American who opened Community Hostal Quito, this friendly guest house is very close to the train station, but can be extremely noisy when the neighbors have a party.
Price
Dorm bed $12, double room $30, superior king room $50, breakfast $3 per person
Address
Eloy Alfaro
Directions
50 m from the train station
Website
communityalausi.com

Getting there and around

Getting there

By bus
Express Sucre Cooperativa de Transportes and Patria provide connections every 1–2 hours during daylight hours from Cuenca (3 hr, $6), and Riobamba (2 hr, $5) (Feb 2018).

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Getting around

It's a really small town so walking is usually the best option.

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Airports and nearby hotels

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Mariscal Lamar Airport

Cuenca · Regional · CUE

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Read before you go to Alausi

Articles and travel topics about Alausi and Ecuador.

Travel tips

Haciendas of Ecuador

Ecuador has historical and renovated haciendas or traditional ranches. Haciendas often cover large areas of land and incorporate agricultural operations and other businesses.

Wikivoyage

Nature & adventure

Ecuador national parks

Ecuador has 11 national parks and other types of reserves protecting an area of 26 million hectares (almost 20% of the country's total territory). The parks include some of Ecuador's most spectacular natural wonders.

Wikivoyage

Nature & adventure

Galapagos wildlife

The wildlife is the prime reason for visiting the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. The logistics of travelling to and around the islands as well as information on the islands is given in the Galapagos Islands article…

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Itineraries

Quilotoa Loop

The Quilotoa Loop is a challenging 3-to-5-day hike in Ecuador that takes you through high Andean villages and past Laguna Quilotoa, a crater lake surrounded by volcanic peaks.

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Full travel guide

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Get inAlausi is 5 hours away from Quito and it is connected by the Pan-American Southern highway. You can also overnight at Riobamba, located 3 hours away from Quito, and continue the next morning to Alausí in a 2 hours drive.

Get aroundIt's a really small town so walking is usually the best option.

SeeThere is a big statue of Saint Peter on top a hill close by. The views are nice from this statue.

DoThe steepest descent of any section of railway track in the world (including two switchbacks), with impressive views of the Andean terrain, La Naríz del Diablo (the Devil's Nose), is just outside Alausí.

BuySeveral shops near and in the railway station sell handicrafts and alpaca wool products.

EatThere is a café in the train station, and a few simple restaurants on the main street.

DrinkA few simple bars can be found on the main street.

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Sources and licences

Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Alausi" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
Summary from the Wikipedia article "Alausí", available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Wikipedia
Photo: Burkhard Mücke, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons

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